★Recommended by YouTuber Heeren Choi, Director Eunjeong Yoo, and Professor Sangwoo Han!
★New book from the bestselling author of "I Thought You Were My Friend"
★ Includes psychological tests to help you find your inner balance.

“What is your quiet but powerful strength?”
For introverts who want to feel comfortable being themselves in relationships.
A Psychologist's Guide to Mindful Exercises

There are several common concerns and difficulties that people with strong introverted tendencies have.
These include fatigue when interacting with others, excessive self-criticism, sensitivity to external evaluation, constant anxiety about outcomes, or excessive perfectionism.
Despite the fact that we cannot impose standards of good and bad on people's personalities, there is a widespread perception throughout society that introverts lack social skills or are awkward in relationships compared to extroverts.
However, the author of this book, having counseled countless people in a clinic, discovered that introverts possess a 'quiet but powerful strength.'
Introversion could be used as a sign of uniqueness and potential, not a limitation or weakness.

The author delves deeply into the nature of introversion, drawing on extensive counseling experience and the latest research in psychology and brain science.
It discusses in depth where and how introverted tendencies are expressed, and how they shape the lives of introverts.
It also clearly reveals the strengths and advantages that only introverts possess and shows how to further refine and shine these powerful assets.
Every time you start a new semester, start a new job, or meet new people, don't you find yourself thinking, "I'm an introvert, so I'm uncomfortable around strangers?" Follow the author's guide to carefully examine how you relate to others and the world, and discover your own "quiet but powerful strength."
This book will help you become more compassionate toward yourself and serve as a guide to building flexible and harmonious relationships.

Introversion is never a disadvantage.
Rather, it is the delicate yet solid strength needed to look deep within oneself, think long and hard, be quiet and patient, and build genuine relationships.
I hope this book will help you, the introvert, understand yourself and be more kind to yourself.
I hope you can rediscover your quiet yet strong inner strength and connect with the world naturally and deeply in your own unique way.
--- p.18~19

Just as energy is not static, the energy in our minds is always flowing.
When the flow is not natural, people feel uncomfortable.
Psychological conflict also arises when we are not properly aware of the direction and way in which things are flowing.
Even if I spend the same amount of time living each day, some activities calm me down and restore me, while other situations tire me out for no reason.
So it is important to know where and how the energy flows within you.
It is a process of figuring out 'how I should live comfortably' and 'what makes me who I am'.
--- p.33

To get to the essence of introversion, we need to look not at their outward appearance or interpersonal style, but at how their energy flows and where and through what process they are restored.
So, let's pause for a moment from simply categorizing introverts and extroverts as "yes" or "no" when asked, "Do you feel tired when you meet people? Do you feel energized?"
As in Si-eun's case, being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean that interpersonal relationships are tiring and uncomfortable.
Introverts, for whom the inner self is important, don't actually tire of people, but rather of meaningless connections.
If connected to one's own values, new encounters can also be a source of energy for introverts.
--- p.73

The weaker your emotional boundaries, the more deeply you can be influenced by other people's emotions, distorting your sense of self.
The thought, 'Why am I so swayed by other people's feelings?' is a sign that your boundaries have already been broken down.
Moreover, introverts, who have a strong sense of responsibility and empathy, tend to immerse themselves in the suffering of others and put their own feelings and needs on the back burner in an attempt to solve their problems.
Eventually, emotions build up and it becomes difficult to know what my true feelings are.
Feeling and understanding other people's emotions does not mean I am responsible for them.
The essence of boundaries lies not in physical distance, but in psychological distancing.
When I become aware of how far I can intervene and where I need to step back, I can stop emotional exhaustion and maintain emotional balance.
--- p.110~111

Introverts are often misunderstood by outsiders, and it can take time for introverts to deeply understand each other.
But their strength lies precisely in their deep thinking and careful actions.
Certainly, the unique strengths of introverts seem to shine brighter when they focus on their inner world rather than external stimuli.
Even in an age where social extroversion is preferred, the 'depth and sincerity' of an introvert can be deeply moving.
The strengths of introverts become crucial tools for understanding themselves, connecting deeply with others, and finding harmony in the world.
--- p.164

Now we need to learn our own introverted way of achieving intimacy.
In other words, it is important for introverts to maintain an appropriate distance according to their own rhythm, but also to proactively break down or overcome boundaries and move toward intimate relationships with others.
Even if you've been stuck in your own time for a long time, having the courage to connect more deeply with those close to you and develop relationships at crucial moments will bring you greater growth.
For introverts, sharing their inner world with others and connecting with them sincerely is not a choice, but a necessity.
Through active intimacy, introverts can overcome anxiety and fear and form better relationships.
True love and intimacy begin with opening ourselves and truly connecting with others.
--- p.171~172

An introvert's life begins alone, but it doesn't end alone.
The path that begins from a quiet inner self must ultimately lead to a sincere arrival towards 'you'.
Buber says, “All true life begins with an encounter.”
For introverts, this will resonate even more deeply.
The encounter where we can exist as our true selves is the ultimate destination of the introverted life, and only there can we experience the joy of a deep connection that transcends silence.

--- p.226~227